Former Eagle Great Tom Brookshier Dies

Former Eagle Great Tom Brookshier Dies

Posted: Saturday, 30 January 2010 11:51AM

by KYW's Peter Jaroff and Pat Toddy

One of the most popular players ever to wear a Philadelphia Eagles uniform -- Tom Brookshier -- has died.

According to a spokesperson for the Eagles, Brookshier died Friday night at the age of 78 after a long battle with cancer.

The former football star was a defensive back for the Eagles from 1953 to 1961 and made the Pro Bowl twice. The Eagles retired his number "40" in 1962.

After his football career, Brookshier became an award-winning broadcaster, doing color for CBS football broadcasts and teaming up with Pat Summerall for the telecasts of three Super Bowl games. Veteran broadcaster Bill Campbell says both men made the transition with ease:

"As far as players who made the jump, they were as good as anybody, no doubt about it. They made the accession into our business as seamlessly and as easy going as possible. They were backed up by the firm knowledge they had and they did a really good job."

Brookshier also worked for KYW Newsradio's sister station, WIP. Broadcaster Angelo Cataldi remembers his friend and colleague:

"I learned a lot of his methods in the two years I worked with him. This is a guy who already had his number retired with the Eagles. He’d come in an hour, an hour and a half before a show, do tons and tons of prep work, help to set up guests. His work ethic was phenomenal.""

Cataldi says there were two sides to 'Brookie' - a very warm, gregarious public personality and a quiet reserved private side.

No word on funeral arrangements.

Biography of Radio & TV personality George Michael

George Michael (March 24, 1939 – December 24, 2009)[1] was an American sportscaster best known nationally for The George Michael Sports Machine, his long-running sports highlights television program. Originally named George Michael's Sports Final when it began as a local show in Washington, D.C. in 1980,[2] it was nationally syndicated by NBC from 1984 until its final installment was aired on March 25, 2007. Michael won a Sports Emmy in 1985 for his work on The George Michael Sports Machine.

Early life and career

Michael was born George Michael Gimpel in St. Louis, Missouri on March 24, 1939.[3] While attending Saint Louis University, he worked as a Midwest promoter for several record labels such as Scepter and Motown. After brief stints at WIL-AM in his hometown and WRIT-AM in Milwaukee, he became a disc jockey at KICN-AM (call sign changed to KBTR in 1964) in Denver in 1961, working under the name "King" George Michael for the first time. He earned the nickname due to his success at "ruling" evening radio.[4][5]

He moved to Philadelphia in September 1966 as one of the original "Boss Jocks" at WFIL-AM, which had just changed its format to Top 40 rock and roll. He served as music director and evening deejay, working the 6-to-10 pm shift. WFIL, which was popularly known as "Famous 56" after the transition, ended WIBG-AM's listener ratings dominance and became the city's most popular radio station by the summer of 1967.[5]

Michael, noted for his energetic style, was hired by WABC-AM in New York City in August 1974.[6] This was a daunting challenge not only because he was entering the nation's largest media market, but he also had to succeed radio legend "Cousin Brucie" Morrow, who had jumped to direct competitor WNBC-AM.[7] Several incidents from Michael's radio stint there have been chronicled in Morrow's autobiography.[8] Even though he was reunited with Dan Ingram and Ron Lundy, colleagues from his WIL days in St. Louis, Michael's time at WABC, which ended in 1979, was mostly frustrating because he was no longer a music director who had any influence on a playlist which was much shorter than the ones with which he was more familiar.[6]

His first experience in sports broadcasting also came in 1974 when he was a television announcer for the Baltimore Orioles on WJZ.[6] He declined an offer to work for the ballclub full-time in order to accept the WABC position.[5] As part of the deal to bring him to New York, Michael also worked for WABC-TV as the weekend sports anchor and a color commentator on New York Islanders telecasts for several seasons, paired mainly with Tim Ryan.[6] He served as an occasional substitute on ABC Contemporary Radio Network's Speaking of Sports show whenever Howard Cosell, the primary commentator, was on vacation or assignment.[3]
[edit] Television career

As the primary sports anchor at WRC-TV (News 4) from 1980 to 2007, Michael was easily one of the most popular media personalities in the Washington, D.C. area. Michael got significant latitude in his programming, employing a bevy of segments some might consider old-fashioned, including his "Tuesday Replays" and "Wednesday Wrestling." He also had devoted extensive coverage to and was considered a significant influence in the popularity of NASCAR, broadcasting interviews with famous drivers such as Dale Earnhardt well before that sport became what it is today. An avid equestrian himself, Michael also broadcast segments on bull riding and rodeo.

Michael's affable personality landed rare interviews with many aloof local and national sports personalities. For example, Michael's team at WRC had been the only local sportscasters allowed to broadcast from inside the Washington Redskins' FedEx Field during the season.

In November 2005, Michael was seriously injured in a horseback riding accident. He broke several ribs and injured his wrists during the mishap at his Comus farm in upper Montgomery County, Maryland. Michael resumed his duties in December 2005.
[edit] Later career

Michael left his role as WRC's daily sports anchor on March 1, 2007 following a dispute with WRC-TV (News 4) over layoffs of his staff. The George Michael Sports Machine went off the air on March 25, 2007.[9][10] He continued to host weekend sports panel shows, such as Full Court Press (basketball season) and Redskins Report (football season) as well as interviews at Redskins Park on Mondays with Jim Zorn and Joe Bugel through December 2008. He was completely dropped from WRC due to budget cuts despite the fact Redskins Report was consistently one of WRC's top shows. He indicated at the time of his layoff, he would like to work on a panel show again but not on a nightly newscast.[11]
[edit] Death

Michael died at age 70 at Sibley Memorial Hospital on December 24, 2009 after being diagnosed with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia for two years.[3][12]. He is survived by his wife Pat, whom he married in 1978 and who produced the Sports Machine, along with daugthers Michelle and Cindi, son Brad, sister Jane, and brother Earl.

References

1. ^ "Washington sportscaster George Michael has died". The Washington Post. 24 December 2009. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/local-breaking-news/washington-sportscaster-george.html?hpid=breakingnews. Retrieved 24 December 2009.
2. ^ George Michael official biography at WRC-TV
3. ^ a b c Bernstein, Adam. "George Michael, famed D.C. sportscaster, dies," The Washington Post, Thursday, December 24, 2009.
4. ^ Denver's KTBR/71: "Home of the All Americans" – Denver Radio Memories.
5. ^ a b c George Michael (profile) – Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia.
6. ^ a b c d "Hiring George Michael For WABC" – MusicRadio77.com
7. ^ "The Cousin Bruce Morrow 'Party Tape'" – MusicRadio77.com.
8. ^ Morrow, Bruce & Baudo, Laura. Cousin Brucie: My Life in Rock 'N' Roll Radio. Sag Harbor, NY: Beech Tree Books, 1987. (ISBN 0-688-06615-1)
9. ^ John Maynard (2006-11-17). "George Michael to drop anchor chores, continue weekend sports panel shows". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/16/AR2006111600669.html.
10. ^ Leonard Shapiro (2006-11-21). "Saying goodbye to George Michael". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/21/AR2006112100626.html.
11. ^ Shapiro, Leonard. "Loss of Michael Is a Truly Deep Cut," The Washington Post, Monday, December 29, 2008.
12. ^ http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2009-12-24-george-michael-obit_N.htm

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Bill's Comment: George Michael was one of the Philly Boss Jocks on "Famous 56", WFIL, in Philadelphia, from approximately 1966 to 1974. One of the last songs he played at the station was "When Will I see You Again" by Three Degrees. Heaven is waiting for you, George. WE will catch up with you, then. R.I.P.

Host of 'Sports Machine' Michael passes

Host of 'Sports Machine' Michael passes
Broadcasting pioneer hosted long-running highlights show

By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com

12/24/09 6:06 PM EST

Sportscaster George Michael passed away on Thursday morning after a lengthy bout with leukemia. He was 70.

Michael was a mainstay of the Washington, D.C., sports media scene and made his name nationally with the syndicated "George Michael Sports Machine," a weekly highlights show.

Michael was surrounded by family and friends when he died from complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia at Washington's Sibley Memorial Hospital.

"The Washington Nationals and the Lerner family join all of the Washington community and sports fans nationally in mourning the loss of legendary sportscaster George Michael," the Nationals said Thursday in a statement.

"He was not only an icon in sports in the Nation's Capital, but he was also a pioneer in the sports broadcasting world with his use of game highlights during his nationally syndicated program 'The George Michael Sports Machine.' Our deepest affection and condolences are with the Michael family in their time of grief."

The prototype for "Sports Machine" was launched in 1980 as a late-night local feature shortly after Michael's arrival at WRC-TV in Washington. In 1984, it became the first nationally syndicated sports highlights show, ultimately airing in 194 U.S. markets and 10 foreign countries. The show ran until March 2007, when cutbacks at WRC and Michael's health issues led to the end of the show's run.

"He waged his battle against cancer with the same drive and determination that made him a one-of-a-kind in the broadcasting industry," the Michael family said in a statement. "Whether it was covering a sports story, working on his horse farm, or spending time with family and friends, he approached everything in life with passion."

Michael's family said plans for a memorial service are not yet complete. He is survived by Patricia, his wife of 31 years, his daughter, Michelle Allen, and his son, Brad.

Barry M. Bloom is a national reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

'Rock n Roll' Radio Legend Jim Nettleton Dies at 69

'Rock n Roll' Radio Legend Jim Nettleton Dies at 69

by KYW’s David Madden

Posted: Sunday, 04 October 2009 11:42AM

Cancer has claimed the life of longtime Philadelphia radio personality Jim Nettleton at the age of 69. Here is a look back at the career of one of the original “Boss Jocks” of the glory days of “Rock n Roll Radio in Philadelphia”.

Mixing personality in with more music put Nettleton’s team over Wibbage in one of the greatest radio face-offs ever.

There was Hartford, New York and Tampa, but it’s his Philadelphia work for which Nettleton will be best remembered included stints at WOGL and WPEN. Although his first stop was his fondest, as he recalled at a reunion three years ago:

“It was the best experience of my radio life; worked with, probably, the most talented group of people that, I think, ever had gotten together in one spot.”

Ironically, his last on-air gig was down the shore -- a recorded morning show for a re-created “Wibbage”.

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Bill's Comment: Mr. Nettleton was also one of the "Boss Jocks" for 56 WFIL-AM during the 60's and '70's. Our loss is Rock n' Roll Heaven's gain. R.I.P., Jim.

Famous Talk Show Host Irv Homer Dies

Famous Talk Show Host Irv Homer Dies

June 25th, 2009 - 8:40 pm ICT by GD

At an unfortunate moment, Irv homer, famous talk show host, died on Wednesday. It was only past 10 minutes of his introductory remarks at the program on an author in Eastern University, that Irving collapsed and was taken to the Bryn Mawr Hospital where the doctor declared him to be dead saying that he had a heart attack. The program was canceled when homer became ill. Homer, who was born and brought up in Philadelphia, initially owned three bars in the region. There listening to different shows over the radio made him almost a talk show freak that later initiated him to trace a career out of his passion. He has worked for a charity foundation called Sunshine Foundation in his hometown that caters to the wishes of chronically ill children and their parents.

Up till recently, He had hosted a internet show on Wednesday.Many of his fans found “Evil Irv”, as he was jokingly nicknamed,to be bombastic and full of energy while his colleagues find him to be an extremely good human being. To his boss at WBCB, Merrill Reese, Irv was one of the most likable man that he had ever met in his life.

86 year old Irv Homer was associated with WWDB since 1975 hosting talk shows over the radio. In an age where listening to radio has almost gone to the backdrop, legend like Irv still inspired all through his words.He will always be known as a person who using simple casual language used to bring out a story out of any issue.

Talk show host Irv Homer dies

Talk show host Irv Homer dies

By Michael Klein

Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted on June 25, 2009

Longtime talk-show host Irv Homer died last night at Bryn Mawr Hospital after he was stricken during an appearance at Eastern University in St. Davids. His age is being reported at 86, but public records say he was 85.

Mr. Homer, who lived in Feasterville, had been a longtime talk show host on WWDB from 1975 until its format was flipped in 2000. After that, he joined WBCB in Levittown, hired by Merrill Reese, and did the odd shift on WPHT. Homer hosted an Internet show as recently as Wednesday, and was a contributor to 6ABC's Sunday public-affairs show Inside Story.

A man who relished his nickname as "Evil Irv," he got into the business as a bar owner who liked calling in to talk shows back in the 1960s. He was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame and in 1972 ran for vice president as a Libertarian.

His pet project was the Sunshine Foundation, which grants the wishes of terminally and chronically ill children and their families. He was a national vice president.

WBCB Remembers Irv Homer

WBCB Remembers Irv Homer

WBCB’s beloved talk show host Irv Homer passed away Wednesday evening while giving a speech at Eastern University. He was 86 years old. A true radio icon Irv had a long career at WWDB, WPHT, Channel 6 and here at WBCB.


Irv Homer was born and raised in Philadelphia and never planned to become the popular, controversial top rated talk-show host he turned out to be. Irv originally owned three bars in the Philadelphia area and spent a lot of time listening to and calling different talk-show hosts in the area and even described himself as a talk-show freak.

Irv began his talk show career in the 1960's when he and some of his friends bought some air time at WXUR. Irv’s show took off at WXUR and Irv moved forward to WEEZ in Chester . He had been calling the station so much to debate the moderators that the program director decided he liked Irv's style and called him to offer him a chance to go on the air. The audience loved him and the station hired Irv.

In March of 1975 Irv was hired and became part of the family at WWDB then known as "The Talk Station in Philadelphia ". When WWDB changed formats in the late 90’s Irv found a new home at WBCB, where he broadcast until the day he died. Along the way Irv has been involved in many community and national projects. He has been awarded many times over for his generosity.

Irv is probably most well known for his work with the Philadelphia-based Sunshine Foundation. The Sunshine Foundation grants the wishes of terminally and chronically ill children and their families by paying for vacations, trips or any special requests the children have. Irv was the national Vice-President of the Foundation emeritus.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and fans of Irv Homer.

Philadelphia Radio Loses Another Legend

Bill's Pre-Comment: The following was copied and pasted from my MySpace page.
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Monday, April 28, 2008

Philadelphia Radio Loses Another Legend
Current mood: bummed
Category: Music


"Big" Ron O'Brien, afternoon jock on Philadelphia's 98.1 WOGL-FM and radio legend, died Sunday morning, April 27, from complications of pneumonia. He was 56 years old.

He was on from 3-7 PM during the week, and was known for his "Fab Four at Four" and "Forgotten 45" segements. For those who had the pleasure of listening to him, two things that stood out were his personality and sense of humor. After the "Forgotten 45", he would always have a trivia question that showed his vast knowledge of music.

There are a couple of tribute links, for the time being. www.wogl.com has a tribute page. Also, CBS-FM New York is playing his last Radio Greats Show, done this past December. The link is as follows: http://wcbsfm.com/Ron-O-Brien/2084423 .

Big Ron, you will be missed! Thank you for the good times.



Bill

Hy Lit dead at 73

Posted on Sat, Nov. 17, 2007

Hy Lit dead at 73

By Michael Klein

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Hy Lit, 73, one of Philadelphia's pioneer disc jockeys, died today at Paoli Memorial Hospital of what his son termed "bizarre complications" after a knee injury.
Sam Lit said his father fell on Nov. 4 and was admitted to Lankenau Hospital to have the knee drained. What followed, the son said, was a "terrible situation that should have never happened."

Over the next week and a half, the DJ, heavily sedated, was transferred to Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital and, on Thursday, to Paoli Memorial, Sam Lit said.

A spokeswoman for Paoli Memorial tonight referred questions to Mr. Lit's family. No cause of death has been announced.

Hy Lit, who lived in Lower Merion, had suffered in recent years from Parkinson's disease, but his son said it hadn't slowed him down. Father and son had started a music Web site, www.hylitradio.com. Mr. Lit had cut audio for the site the day before he went into the hospital.

"This should not have happened," Sam Lit said. "We didn't have to lose him now."

"Hyski," or "Hyski O'Rooney McVoutie O'Zoot," as he called himself - or Hyman Litsky, as he was born in South Philadelphia - came of age with rock-and-roll, in an era when disc jockeys talkedlikethis.

Mr. Lit, whose family moved from Fifth and Ritner Streets to 46th Street and Osage Avenue when he was young, got started in the business in 1955, fresh out of the University of Miami.

He flourished in radio alongside such popular Philadelphia DJs of the early rock era as Frank X. Feller, Dean Tyler, Jimmy Bishop, and Joe Niagara.

Mr. Lit's biography credits Georgie Woods, another influential radio personality, with saving him one night during an early appearance, when the mostly African American audience did not believe that the white man at the microphone truly was Hy Lit.

It's said that in the 1960s, Mr. Lit's nighttime show on "Wibbage" (WIBG) drew three-quarters of the listening audience, many under covers defying parents' direct orders to shut off that music and go to bed.

The roster of Mr. Lit's stations - WHAT, WRCV, WIBG, WDAS-FM, WPGR, WSNI and WOGL - reads like a roll call of Philadelphia music. Mr. Lit also had the distinction on Aug. 15, 1990, of launching the oldies format on WCAU (1210).

"Hi, this is Hy Lit. Welcome to Oldies 1210," he said, leading into "Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay." His signature tunes were "Quarter to Three" by Gary U.S. Bonds and the instrumental "A Night with Daddy 'G' " by the Church Street Five.

Mr. Lit was on hand for much rock-and-roll history as it played out in Philadelphia. He played Rolling Stones music early on and accompanied the Beatles to he city in 1964.

A dashing figure with a face for television, he also hosted dance shows on WKBS in Philadelphia and a New York station.

"I would be nothing if not for him," said Joe "Butterball" Tamburro, program director of WDAS, whom Mr. Lit took under his wing in the early 1960s. Tamburro remembered Mr. Lit as a "fascinating, dynamic impresario."

"There's a piece of Hy Lit in all of us," said DJ Bob Pantano last night from his dance party, a concept that Mr. Lit embraced and helped to develop in the late 1950s. "My greatest thrill was working with him."

"Here's a guy who made it for all of us," said Don Cannon, another radio personality. "He was kind of wild back then."

Cannon supervised Mr. Lit in the 1990s at WSNI, "and he was always trying to take the edge on me. I used to tell him, 'If you had a 25-year-old program director here, you'd be out on your butt.' He could get away with it. Everyone wanted to be Hy."

In recent years, Mr. Lit endured financial strain, and friends rallied around him with fund-raisers. After his last station, WOGL, reduced his hours, Mr. Lit sued it for age discrimination. The case was settled in December 2005. Mr. Lit then retired.

Jim Loftus, general manager of WOGL, said, "It's a sad day for Philadelphia and a sad day for radio. He was one of a kind."

His son called him "the magic man. When he spoke, people listened. People were interested in what he had to say. A lot of people say that anyone can spin records. That's wrong. There's a science to it. He knew it."

His many honors include a spot on the Avenue of the Arts Walk of Fame; the first March of Dimes Lifetime Achievement of Radio Award in 1994; an AIR Award for best show in 1997; and Radio and Records magazine's Oldies Personality of the Year for 1999. He also was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003.

Besides his son, he is survived by a daughter, Benna, three grandchildren, and a sister. Mr. Lit was divorced from the former Miriam Uniman in the 1970s. His second wife, Maggie, died in 2000.

Sam Lit said funeral arrangements were incomplete last night.

Contact staff writer Michael Klein at 215-854-5514 or mklein@phillynews.com.